the Northward, on the same Track as we came, but as the weather was so very Tempestious I laid aside this design, and thought it more adviseable to stand to the Northward into better weather, least we should receive such Damage in our Sails and Rigging as might hinder the further Prosecutions of the Voyage.[1] Some Albetrosses, Pintado birds, and Doves about the Ship, and a Bird larger than a Duck, his plumage of a Dark Brown, with a Yellow beak. We saw of these Birds in our Passage to the Northward, after doubling Cape Horn. At Noon the weather was more moderate; set the Reef'd Mainsail. A great Sea from the W.S.W. Wind West; Course N. 54° 30′ E.; distance 46 m.; lat. 39° 45′ S., long. 145° 39′ W.
Sunday, 3rd.—The fore and Middle parts fresh gales, with hard Squalls; Latter more moderate. At 5 a.m. loos'd the Reef out of the Mainsail, and set the Topsail double reef'd, and before noon had all the Reefs out. Wind Westerly; course North; distance 50 m.; lat. 38° 54′ S., long. 145° 39′ W.
Monday, 4th.—First and latter parts, little wind and Cloudy; in the night Calm. Very few Birds about the Ship. Wind Westerly; course N. by E.; distance 26 m.; lat. 38° 29′ S., long. 145° 32′ W.
Tuesday, 5th.—Fresh breezes and Cloudy weather. At 2 p.m. saw a piece of rock Weed. Variation, per Azimuth 7° 0′ E. Wind W. to N.W.; course N. 32 W.; distance 44 m.; lat. 37° 52′ S., long. 146° 2′ W.
Wednesday, 6th.—Fresh Gales and Squally, with rain. At Noon saw a Bird which was all white, except the Tip of each Wing; it was nearly as big as an Albetross. We saw 2 of these Birds in Lat. 19° before we Arrived at George's Island. Wind Westerly; course S. 87° 30′ W.; distance 70 m.; lat. 37° 49′ S., long 147° 30′ W.
Thursday, 7th.—Fresh Gales and hard squalls, with rain. At 3 p.m. saw something upon the Water, which must either have been a Billet of Wood or a Seal. At Noon a hard gale and Squally, which obliged us to take in the Topsails. Wind Westerly; course S. 80° W.; distance 15 m.; lat. 37° 52′ S., long. 147° 49′ W.
Friday, 8th—P.M. very strong gales and Squally. A.M. more moderate; set the Topsails. At Noon the Observed Latitude was 13 Miles to the North of the Log. This I take to be owing to the great Sea we have had constantly of Late from the S.W. Wind Westerly; course N. ¼ E.; distance 76 m.; lat. 36° 36′ S., long. 147° 40′ W.
- ↑ This long excursion to the south is a fine instance of Cook's thoroughness and determination in exploration. The belief in a southern continent was strong amongst most geographers; but it rested on nothing more than the false idea that dry lands in the two hemispheres should balance one another. Cook himself did not share the general belief; and few others in his position would have struggled for 1500 miles out of his direct course into bad weather, simply to disprove an idea, when so much unexplored ocean lay before him to the westward, with a fair wind and fine weather.
